Eileen Gray architectural drawings, ca. 1927-1949.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Gray, Eileen, 1878-1976.

Language:

French

Subjects (All):

Gray, Eileen, 1878-1976.

Gray, Eileen.

Architects--Archives.

Architects.

Architectural design--History--20th century--Sources.

Architectural design.

Architectural drawing--France.

Architectural drawing.

Architecture, Modern--20th century--France--Designs and plans.

Architecture, Modern.

Architect-designed furniture--Drawings.

Architect-designed furniture.

Genre:

Architectural drawings.

Physical Description:

3 drawings.

Other Title:

Eileen Gray collection.

Place of Publication:

ca. 1927-1949.

Biography/History:

Eileen Gray (1878-1976) was born in Ireland and studied art at the Slade School in London and at the Académie Colarossi and Académie Julian in Paris. Her early works included furniture and lacquer work, skills she learned in the workshops of D. Charles in London and Suqawara in Paris. By the 1920s, Gray was designing complete interiors and soon thereafter several houses, most notably the E.1027 house of 1927-1929, designed for her close friend Jean Badovici. It was through Badovici, editor of the influential magazine L'Architecture Vivante, that Gray became acquainted with the works of the important contemporary designers (such as Le Corbusier, Adloph Loos, and members of the Constructivist and De Stijl movements). Gray lived her adult life in Paris, where she died in 1976.

Summary:

The collection comprises three architectural drawings documenting two designs created between 1927 and 1949. One presentation drawing documents a dining room chair designed for the E.1027 house, ca. 1927-1929. An example of this chair can be seen at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Two drawings document Gray's design for a house titled "Une Maison Solaire," possibly designed in the late 1940s. The collection was donated to the Archives by Dr. Joseph Rykwert, who was a central figure in Gray's rediscovery (see articles by Rykwert in: Domus - 12/1968, Perspecta no. 13, and Architectural Review - 8/1972). The drawings were given to Rykwert by a niece of Gray's soon after her death.

Finding Aid/Index:

Printed finding aid available at the Architectural Archives. For electronic finding aid see Web Link.

This collection is indexed (with electronic access to selected images) in Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a searchable database of architectural research materials. See Web Link.

Cited as:

Eileen Gray Collection. The Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania, Gift of Joseph and Anne Rykwert.

Access Restriction:

Collection available for research by appointment only.

Online:

Finding Aid

Philadelphia Architects and Buildings